Scammers are now leveraging neural networks to create digital copies of deceased individuals and exploit them for fraudulent purposes, according to a report by TASS, citing the Digital Expertise Center of Roskachestvo (the Russian quality system).
Experts explain that these digital likenesses are generated using sophisticated neural network algorithms, which fraudsters then manipulate for their illicit schemes. This new form of cybercrime raises significant concerns about digital ethics and consumer safety.
“Initially, such technologies were developed for therapeutic purposes,” specialists noted, “to help individuals cope with profound grief by offering symbolic `interaction` with a digital projection of a deceased loved one. However, malicious actors have perverted this intent for financial gain.”
Roskachestvo further warned that these fraudulent digital replicas might be used to recommend purchases of various goods or services to unsuspecting Russians, or even to directly solicit financial aid, preying on emotional vulnerability and trust.
This alarming new tactic follows previous warnings from the Ministry of Internal Affairs concerning evolving scam strategies, including those involving voice confirmation for passport details, underscoring a growing trend of sophisticated digital fraud.
